For professional and amateur photographers, it is sometimes difficult deciding whether a certain accessory is essential or just a personal preference. When you’re at a loss, photo reference books can sometimes be the best accessory of all, with easy to read guides written in a language you can understand.

For the professional and amateur photography enthusiast, choosing a quality photo printer is more than merely asking: inkjet or laser? The type of ink (dye or pigment), amount of cartridges/color spectrum used, software compatibility, print times and overall photo quality are all considerations when choosing a serious and professional photo printer.

For professional photographers, photo scanners offer more features, dependability and quality than ordinary scanners do. They provide excellent image resolution, highly sensitive color (up to 96-bit), slide and photo negative holders, as well as the ability to remove red-eye, dust and scratches, restore color and much more.

The line between regular digital cameras and video cameras has blurred recently, as both usually have some, if not all, the functions of the other to a certain degree. For the amateur or professional, there are digital SLRs (single-lens reflex) cameras, which have larger sensors for better pics and interchangeable lenses for different light exposures and focuses.

Photo editing software has become the equivalent of a digital darkroom, with the ability to import, sort, edit and refine pictures for print, web or any other media. For photographers, they are the latest and most efficient means of consolidating and expediting their workflow process.

Knowledge and use of camera lenses and filters transforms mere photo snapping into an art. When correctly operated, the right lens and/or filter will dramatically alter the appearance, tone, focus and composition of a photo.